The Call of Duty: a soundless, noiseless call to serve one’s country by means of military service. A small percentage of Faith students have answered that call. Luckily, there are many options available to those who want to pursue a career in the military, including receiving a college education, before, during, and after their service.

There are many different routes to go into the service. For some, they have already begun their journey in Middle and High School.

“I have been in Sea Cadets for 5 years,” said Jacob Barrera, senior, who plans to join the United States Marine Corps. Sea Cadets is a program run by the government that gives Americans ages 11-17 exposure to a variety of careers available in the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as instilling good citizenship and strong morals in cadets.

It also helps cadets develop interests in skills in seamanship and provides cadets with a distinctive, advantage when joining the military.

“Yes, Sea Cadets gave me the ability to lead my fellow cadets and gave me the positions and knowledge about the military” Barerra said.

For the student who loves a challenge and strives for the best of the best military education, the prestigious United States Military Academies such as West Point and Naval Academy are an option. This long process involves many steps.

“The very first thing that I always suggest to do is that we send out emails about when they are going to have those receptions. In the beginning of the year, the service academies will have receptions,” said Mrs. Washington, guidance counselor at Faith Lutheran.

“Then the next thing to do is go online to the websites the academies suggested to go to and that will give you an application. The particular application you fill out, and filling out that application, it’s going to ask you the name of your counselor, and they will send that counselor an email. Actually, I’ve already started that process with a couple of students, who are seniors, as early as August. So that process starts early,” Washington said. “Also in that reception, the officers explain to you how to send out letters to congressmen and the senators from their state and get that particular information”.

But not everyone is cut out for the rigorous and demanding academics of USMA schools, and their admissions are extremely selective. There are options for those who want to serve and get an education while enlisted.

“The Post 9/11 GI Bill is an education benefit program for individuals who served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Eligible individuals are entitled up to 36 months of benefits. Eligibility percentage is based on a sliding scale that is linked to the length of qualifying active duty service on or after September 11, 2001. All Soldiers are eligible for benefits contingent upon active duty service,” said Sgt. 1^st Class Erik Lawhon, a U.S. Army Recruiter in Las Vegas.

Another program offered by the Army is the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP). Just like the Post 9/11 GI Bill, tuition assistance is available.

“ConAP is a partnership between the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges and USAREC enabling applicants to plan and state their intent to enroll at a college or university concurrent with enlistment,” said Sgt. 1^st Class Lawhon.

“Future Soldiers can now submit their Intent To Enroll via the Future Soldier Training site. The college’s goals are to increase enrollment of Army and Army Reserve veterans with education benefits and to enroll students who are mature and disciplined”.

The Army is not alone in their goal to help provide an education to its current service members and veterans. Many universities have joined them in this pursuit.

“The most significant challenge facing the U.S. Army is helping service members, veterans, and their dependents choose to pursue education goals that help them reach their personal long term goal. The U.S. Army is committed to education through partnership with numerous colleges and universities across the country,” Sgt. 1^st Class Lawhon said.

These are a few of the options available to service members. There is also the option of ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corp) programs at the majority of universities and colleges nationwide. All main branches of the Armed Forces offer these programs, and prepare college students for a career as an officer in the military after college.

For those who are planning on serving our country, no matter what route they take, there are a few things that they can do to prepare for a military career.

“The U.S. Army Recruiting Command recruits the most qualified men and women to serve as Soldiers, both officer and enlisted, to meet the needs of the Army and acts as the Army’s Ambassador to the American people” said Sgt. 1^st Class Lawhon. “Individuals preparing for a career in the military should research all branches of the military. One option is talking to a recruiter. Keep in mind that the military teaches more than just the technical skills that are necessary to get the job done, they will give you a career. Also, the Army guarantees (in writing) skill training before enlistment, so there are no surprises”.

No matter what route future Soldiers, Sailors, Marines or Airmen will take regarding a college education, the possibilities are endless. Even though college before the military is great, especially for those who want to pursue a career as an officer (which requires a 4-year college education) but it is not the only way to have a long and rewarding career in the military.

“It all depends on the individual” said Sgt. 1^st Class Lawhon. “Many students are not ready for college and perhaps enlisting in the Army will help with the financial burden of going to college”.